Refrigerated cabinet structure



May 20, 1958 F. H. GILBERT ET AL- REFRIGERATED CABINET STRUCTURE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 18, 1954 May 20, 1958 F. H. GILBERT E1' Ax. 2,835,405

REFRIGERATED CABINET STRUCTURE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 my w INVENTO 'EHS Filed Oct. 18. 1954 l IIL M MV MV 6 5.

May 20, 1958 F. H. GILBERT ETAL 2,835,405

RETRTGERATED CABINET STRUCTURE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. l8. 1954 NVENTOR ,6710K A. Me/'f 5 Zin/r C, 5000er BY r REFRIGERATED CABINET STRUCTURE Frank H. Gilbert, Leawood, Kans., aud Jack C. Booher, Kansas City, Mo., assignors to Metalcraft Mfg. & Sales Corp., Kansas City, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Application October 18, 1954, Serial No. 462,916

2 Claims. (Cl. 22B-15) This invention relates to improvements in cabinet structure and particularly that class of cabinets or housings that is especially adapted for refrigeration purposes, the primary object being to include structure for affording proper rigidity and at the same time maintaining an inner tube substantially out of heat-exchange relationship with the outer shell that confines and supports the tub. I i

lt is the most important object of the instant invention to provide a refrigerator cabinet having a shell, together with a tub therewithin, the latter being mounted and connected withthe shell in a manner to prevent swaying or buckling of the outermost relatively thin shell or skin and in a manner to prevent con-duction of heat from the shell to the tub and into the latter where articles to be kept under refrigeration are to be stored.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide refrigerator structure as above set forth having a framework within the shell at the open front thereof and surrounding the vtub that is housed in the shell for providing proper rigidity for the `entire structure, the frame being connected with the tub and with the shell in a novel manner through use of breaker strips and the like s o as to aord proper insulation for the tub as aforementioned.

Other aims include .important details of construction for carrying out the above objects, all of which will be made clear or become apparent as the following specification progresses, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein: i

y Figure l is a front perspective view of refrigerated cabinet structure made according to one embodiment of the instant invention, parts being broken away for clearness.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view taken on line II--II of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a vertical, cross-sectional view taken on the line III-IH of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, detailed cross-sectional View taken online lV--IV of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a front perspective View of another embodiment of the instant invention, parts being broken away to reveal details of construction. p

Fig. 6 is a horizontal, cross-sectional View taken on line VI-VI of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a vertical, cross-sectional view taken on line VII- vn of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a front perspective view of still another embodiment of the instant invention.

Fig. 9 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view taken on line IX-IX of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary, perspective view illustrating a further modication of the present invention; and

Fig. l1 is an enlarged, fragmentary, detailed crosssectional View taken on line Xl-XI of Fig. l0.

-The invention as depicted by Figs. l to 4 inclusive nit rates Patent ice consists essentially of an outer shell broadly designated by the numeral 12, that is hollow and open at its front, together with a tub 14 housed within the shell 12 and likewise hollow and open at the front thereof.

The shell or skin 12 has a back wall 16, a pair of side walls 18 and 20, and a top wall 22 that may form a continuation of the back wall 16 as illustrated in Fig. 3. Inturned iianges 24 on the side walls 18 and 20, overlap the rear wall 16 and may be secured thereto by welding or any other suitable manner. The way in which the top wall 22 issecured to the side walls 18 and 20 is not illustrated since the same forms no part of the instant invention. i

The shell 12 may be secured to a polygonal base 26 in any desired manner and the latter is likewise in turn attached to framework broadly designated by the nu- 1neral23.

The framework 28 includes a pair of stiles 30 and 32 coextensive in length with the height of side walls 18 and 20 and inturned anges 34 on the latter are secured directly to the stiles 30 and 32 by welding. The frame 2S includes additionally, an upper rail 36 interconnecting the stiles 30 and 32and having the same cross-sectional configuration as the stiles 30 and 32.

A down-turned flange 38 on the top wall 22 is connected directly to the rail 36. A second horizontal rail 40 intermediate the ends of the stiles 30 and 32 interconnects the latter and forms a part of the framework 28.

Noteworthy is the fact that the entire framework 28 is of tubular construction, and while the same directly engages the shell 12 by the connection of stiles 3l) and 32, as well as the rail 36 to theiianges 34 and 38, frame work 28 has no direct engagement with the tub 14 notwithstanding the fact thatthe frame 28 reinforces shell 12 and tub 14 and supports the tub 14 within the shell 12.

To this end there is provided a continuous breaker strip 42 in complete surrounding relationship to the tub 14 at its open front. Thus, the breaker strip 42 engages side walls 44 and 46 of tub 14, as well as top wall 48 and bottom wall 50 thereof. These walls of the tub 14, together with rear wall 52 are, therefore, in spaced relationship to all of the walls of the shell 12.

While the flanges 34 and 38 of the shell 12 overlap the frame 2S, the out-turned, continuous flange 54 on the walls 44, 46, 48 and 50 of the tube 14, overlap the continuous breaker strip 42. A

Manifestly,'an access door, not shown, is provided for the open front of tub 14 and hingedly secured to the cabinet structure in the usual manner. Consequently, there is likewise provided a resilient sealing strip 56 for such door extending throughout the length of the continuous flange 54 and having a web 58 interleaved between the framework 28 and the breaker strip 42. The web 5S extends along the rail 36 therebeneath, downwardly 'along the two stiles 30 and 32 and across the rail 40 thereabove. Rivets or other fastening means 60 passing through the frame 28, web 58, breaker strip 42, and tub 14, clamp the breaker strip '42 and the web 53 between the frame 28 and the outer faces of the side, top and bottom walls of the tub 14.

The entire cabinet structure is additionally reinforced, the tub 14 is supported and heat-exchange relationship is avoided still further by L-shaped corner gussets 62 beneath the tub 14 between the rear wall 16 and side walls 18 and 2t), one only of which is shown in the drawings. Gussets 62 extending upwardly from the base 26 are secured to the shell 12 and are interconnected by an L-shaped member 64 at the rear of the cabinet. A pair of L-shaped brackets 66, one only of which is shown, join the gussets 62 with the stiles 30 and 32 and 3 cooperate with the elements 64 in supporting a panel 63 spaced beneath the bottom wall 50 of the tub 14. Asin the case of the breaker strip 42, the panel 68 is preferably made from a suitable strong material that is a poor conductor of heat such as one of the many synthetic plastics now available on the open market.

A channel member 70 across the back of the cabinet and secured to the rear wall 16 of shell 12, has one end of a pair of L-shaped supporting brackets 72 secured thereto, which brackets rest at their forwardmost ends upon the rail 40 adjacent the stiles 30 and 32 respectively. The two brackets 72 support the tub 14 and may be secured by rivets such as at 60 to both the rail 40 and the stiles v30 and 32 throughthe breaker strip 42 if desired.

A coating 74 of nonconductive material on the brackets 72 prevent heat transfer through the walls 44, 46 and 50 into the tub 14. The space between the walls of tub 14 and the walls of shell 12, as well as between the wall 50 of tub 14 and the panel 68, is filled with insulation 76. Base 26 may be provided with cross braces 78 to further add rigidity to the entire structure. And, as is well understood in the art, the space within the shell 12 beneath the tub 14 is utilized for refrigerating equipment including the compressor, condenser and the like.

It is apparent from the foregoing that there can be very little, if any, swaying or buckling of the relatively thin shell or skin 12, or of the tub 14 when the same are reinforced through use of the tubular framework 28, the means for supporting the panel 68, and the underlying supports 72 for tub 14 which actually join the rear wall 16 of the shell 12 with the framework 23. Noteworthy also is the fact that the elements 64 that interconnect gussets 62 overlaps the channel member 70 and may be connected thereto if desired.

The tubular nature of the framework 28 presents a void between the tub 14 and the shell 12 through which little heat can be conducted. There is no actual contact metal-to-metal between the tub 14 and the shell 12, because of the provision of breaker stripy 42, web 58 of seal 56 and lining 74, and because of the spacing between the walls of tub 14 and shell 12 that is illed with insulation 76. In Figs. 5 to 7 inclusive there is likewise provided a construction that adequately reinforces the relatively thin material forming the tub and the shell, together with means to maintain these two essential parts of the cabinet substantially out of heat exchange relationship. All parts are essentially the same in the modification of Figs. 5 to 7 as in the form shown in Figs. l to 4 inclusive of the drawings, and therefore, the same identifying numerals are utilized.

Framework 128 however, differs, slightly from the framework 28 in that the same is shaped to engage and be secured directly to the tub 14 which it surrounds. Such slight interengagement between the frame 128, the tub 14 and the shell 12 is not sutiicient however to cause an appreciable amount of heat transfer through the frame 128 and into the tub 14, particularly because of the void that is provided through the hollow or tubular construction of frame 128.

Frame 128 differs still further from the frame 2S in that there is provided an outwardly facing channel 129 for receiving breaker strip 42, the latter of which is overlapped by flange 54 in the same manner as shown in Figs. l to 4 inclusive. Similarly, the web 58 of sealing means 56, is confined between the breaker strip 42 and the frame 128 in Figs. 5 to 7 inclusive, whereas, the sealing means 56 overlaps the flange 54 in Figs. l to 4 inclusive, it overlaps the breaker strip 142 in Figs. 5 to 7 inclusive. modified form of the invention is essentially the same as hereinabove set forth and substantially the same novel results are produced.

In Figs. 8 and 9, continuous out-turned liange 254 of tub 214 and inturned flanges 234 of shell 212 are inter- Otherwise, the construction of the second connected by a continuous, polygonal breaker strip 242. The down-turned flange of the top wall of shell 212 comparable to flange 38 shown in Fig. 3, is not shown in Figs. 8 and 9 but is manifestly connected to the breaker strip 242 in the same manner. The framework for this modiication cooperates with the breaker strip 242 in maintaining rigidity and is in the form of channel members 230 and 232 extending vertically along the flanges 234 and rigidly connected to the shell 212. Here again, the frame continues across the top of the unit in the form of a rail (not shown) comparable to the rail 36 shown in Fig. 3. The lower rail 240 that interconnects the stiles 230 and 232 is L-shaped as seen in Fig. 8 and is in underlying supporting relationship to the tub 214. Otherwise the construction of the form shown in Figs. 8 and 9 is as previously described.

In Figs. 10 and ll, frame 328 within shell 312, is secured to tiange 334 along with breaker strip 342. A secondary reinforcing frame 343 surrounds tub 314 and is attached rigidly thereto. An L-shaped rail 340 forming a part of the frame 328 is disposed in underlying relationship to the tub 314.

These and many other modifications of the invention may be made in order to fulfill the primary objects of rigidity and avoiding heat conduction, and it is therefore,

desired to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a refrigeration cabinet, an open front outer shell and an open front inner tub housed within and spaced from the shell, the shell and tub each being provided with rectangular top, side and rear walls and the tub having a rectangular bottom wall; a rectangular, metallic, tubular frame disposed within the shell in spaced, surrounding relationship to said tub and secured to the marginal edges of the shell defining said open front thereof; a rectangular breaker strip of insulating material surrounding the tub adjacent said marginal edges of the shell and disposed between said frame and the tub; a rectangular door seal of tiexible material at the open front of the tub and having a rectangular, integral, inwardly extending web disposed between the frame and said breaker strip; and a plurality of fasteners extending through the tub, breaker strip, web and one side of the frame for securing the tub to the shell.

2. In a refrigeration cabinet, an open front outer shell and an open front inner tub housed within and spaced from the shell, the shell and tub each being provided with rectangular top, side and rear walls and the tub having a rectangular bottom wall; a rectangular, metallic, tubular frame disposed Within the shell in spaced, surrounding relationship to said tub and secured to the marginal edges of the shell defining said open front thereof; a rectangular breaker strip of insulating material surrounding the tub adjacent said marginal edges of the shell and disposed between said frame and the tub; a rectangular door seal of tiexble material at the open front of the tub and having a rectangular, integral, inwardly extending web disposed between the frame and said breaker strip; a plurality of fasteners extending through the tub, breaker strip, web and one side of the frame for securing the tub to the shell; a pair of elongated, spaced, L-shaped brackets within the shell and each disposed in supporting relationship to the bottom wall of the tub at respective edges of the tub formed by the intersection of corresponding side walls and said bottom wall thereof; means connected to the shell and the brackets for maintaining the latter in said supporting relationship; and a coating of nonconductive material on all portions of the brackets which would normally be in contacting relationship with the tub to thereby completely insulate the tub from the brackets and in turn the shell.

(References on following page) References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Collins Sept. 20, Tinnerman May 5, Hcfferberth Aug. 15, Stickel Feb. 20, Oelmann Dec. 24, Brouse Sept., 16, Wurtz June 22, 

